2011-06-01 12:57:44 Charlotte Burrill cburrill2 2011-06-01 13:16:00 Charlotte Burrill cburrill2 DENO-629384 BELL Complete cast copper alloy crotal bell of post Medieval date. The spherical bell consists of two hollow hemispheres with a raised circumferential ridge where they join. The lower hemisphere, which is decorated with a 'sunburst' design, has the initials R and W to either side of the sound slit. The initials RW indicate that the bell was manufactured at the Aldbourne (Wiltshire) foundry under the Wells family, the initials refer to Robert Wells. The bell will have been manufactured between 1755-1825 at which point the foundry went bankrupt. The upper hemisphere of the bell, wich is plain in decoration, has two circular sound holes to either side of a semi-circular suspension loop with semi-circular opening for suspension. There is a further horseshoe shaped hole at the point where one of the sides of the suspension loop meets the bell. Attached to the suspension loop are two chain links, the first of these is circular and unwelded and the second is a rounded triangle welded closed. Bells of this type were used in groups for the decoration of horse harness and other draught animal gear. The dating for this bell is 1755-1825. Complete cast copper alloy crotal bell of post Medieval date. The spherical bell consists of two hollow hemispheres with a raised circumferential ridge where they join. The lower hemisphere, which is decorated with a 'sunburst' design, has the initials R and W to either side of the sound slit. Th... Copper alloy Cast POST MEDIEVAL POST MEDIEVAL POST MEDIEVAL 1755 1825 49.1 60.1 Complete 2011-06-01 12:57:44 DERBYSHIRE AMBER VALLEY POINT( ) From Map SK44NW SK4149 29.06.2003 Gardening Digging on an allotment 1 DENO Creative Commons Non Commercial Share Alike - The Portable Antiquities Scheme 2011 These records can be reproduced in a non commercial enviroment as long as the original recorder is cited. The Portable Antiquities Scheme info@finds.org.uk No fees are applicable.